BlasTaq™ HotStart DNA Polymerase is a strategically-engineered, next generation Taq Polymerase that has rapid extension rates, robust performance, and contains a proprietary antibody that blocks polymerase activity at low temperatures. HotStart allows for convenient reaction set-up at room temperature without non-specific amplification and primer dimer formation. With specialized reaction conditions, this polymerase provides increased processivity, yields, and sensitivity, while shortening reaction times by up to 70%, compared to wild-type Taq DNA polymerase. During the initial denaturation step, the antibody dissociates from the DNA polymerase and restores enzyme activity. This feature significantly reduces non-specific product formation that would otherwise compete for reagent availability offering higher specificity and improved yield of PCR products. BlasTaq™ has 5’-3’ polymerase and 5’-3’ exonuclease activities, lacks 3’-5’ exonuclease activity, and produces 3’-dA-tailed amplicons. PCR products made with BlasTaq™ can be used with TA cloning vectors.